O'Neill man 'fires' attorney, goes to jail for assault

Dennis C. Cullen, 65, of O'Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O'Neill on April 4 for sentencing in a case that has taken a few turns.

Cullen was charged with a May 20, 2022, crime, assault in the third degree, in a complaint filed by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly on Nov. 9, 2022. Cullen appeared for arraignment Dec. 6, 2022, accompanied by his attorney at the time, Martin Klein of Neligh. Cullen entered a no contest plea, pursuant to a plea agreement with Kelly. Burdick found him guilty, ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing for Jan. 17.

In a letter to Burdick, the probation officer who was tasked with conducting the PSI wrote that the investigation was not completed. He said Cullen arrived for an interview Dec. 30 and told the officer he had fired Klein and intended to withdraw the no contest plea.

Klein filed a motion to withdraw as Cullen's counsel Jan. 11, stating that there had been "a complete breakdown in the client/attorney relationship."

Burdick ratified the motion during a Jan. 17 hearing and granted Cullen a continuance. During a Feb. 21 hearing, Cullen waived his right to counsel. He did not withdraw the no contest plea. Burdick again ordered a PSI report be prepared by the probation office.

At last week's hearing, Burdick sentenced Cullen to 90 days in the Holt County Jail and taxed him $60 costs. The judge authorized work release if Cullen met guidelines set by the county sheriff.

Shawn D. Jackson, 37, of O'Neill faced Burdick for arraignment on a Class 3 misdemeanor disturbing the peace charge. Jackson waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty. He was fined $50 and taxed $52 costs.

A warrant for Jackson's arrest, issued March 24, was served March 30. According to the affidavit filed with the motion for warrant, Jackson played loud music with the windows of his house open and refused to answer the door to the officer who responded to a complaint by a neighbor. The officer returned to the home multiple times but was unable to contact Jackson regarding the disturbances.

Brianna G. Vanderford, 25, of O'Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to possession of an open alcohol container, an infraction committed Jan. 14, in O'Neill. She was fined $50 and taxed $49 costs.